Analysis of EURO 2021: Scotland with several Premier League players, plus a home game

Scotland will accompany Wales and England as a participant in the European Championships from Great Britain. The Scots qualified for the tournament through a successful barrage, which saw them progress through Israel and Serbia. What team is this small nation of just 5.5 million people taking to the championships?

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian), David Marshall (Derby), Jon McLaughlin (Rangers)

Scotland have three goalkeepers over the age of thirty-three in their nomination. David Marshall and Craig Gordon have been given a chance in the last year, with Jon McLaughin filling the logical role of number three (he doesn’t regularly catch for Rangers).

As for the number one, it looks more like Marshall, who has been starting in the more important games. Specifically, he caught both Euro barrage games and the first two games of the qualifiers for the upcoming World Cup.

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Declan Gallagher (Motherwell), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Celtic), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Stephen O’Donnell (Motherwell), Nathan Patterson (Rangers), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)

Scottish coach Steve Clarke likes to rotate in defence and it’s logical, as he practices a three-stopper formation. He had to improvise a bit in Wednesday’s match against the Dutch, as six of his players missed the preliminary matches due to coronavirus.

Kieran Tierney, a mainstay of London Arsenal, cannot be missing in the three-man stopper line. We are likely to see long-time Leeds United stalwart Liam Cooper in the starting line-up.

The third place will be fought for. According to recent repre reunions it looks like one of the trio of Jack Hendry, Grant Hanley, Declan Gallagher who have been regulars in the dark blue jersey in recent months.

At the left-wing-back position we find the Scots’ biggest star Andrew Robertson. On the right side there are more candidates, Stephen O’Donnell is probably the most likely choice, but we can’t forget Nathan Patterson or James Forrest, who as an offensive player occasionally fills in at that position.

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Celtic), John Fleck (Sheffield United), Billy Gilmour (Chelsea), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), David Turnbull (Celtic)

In the centre of midfield, things are looking pretty bright. Scott McTominay and John McGinn have been playing alongside each other for a long time, both have had a successful season in the Premier League, so there’s no reason to put anyone else in.

McTominay has also featured at stopper from time to time, but that tends to be against paper-weak selections that aren’t at the Euros. But if the Scots tighten up, moving the Manchester midfielder back a number could pay off. For example, the experienced Callum McGregor or the talented Chelsea player Billy Gilmour could come in his place.

Forwards: Ché Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United), Kevin Nisbet (Hibernian)

The Scots’ attack didn’t command much respect, but Che Adams changed citizenship in the spring and quickly worked his way into the starting line-up. Lyndon Dykes has his back.

He will be assisted on the wing by Ryan Christie, the coach’s favourite who scored an important goal in the barrage against Serbia. The offensive trident will be completed by one of the pair Ryan Fraser, Stuart Armstrong. These are completely different players, the former is a fast player with a low centre of gravity, the latter a technician with excellent kicking technique.

Key success factors:: The shape of the left side of the defence and the recovery of the infected

Coach Clarke prefers a five-defender system for a simple reason. He has two excellent left-backs at his disposal, with Robertson as a wing-back often switching positions with left-back Tierney, which causes problems for opponents. If the Scots want to succeed, the symbiosis between the two must work as it has so far.

There has already been word of positive tests for six players. No less than four of them are quite regular in the line-up, McGinn and Adams can even be described as key players.

All of them are likely to be ready for the first match against the Czech Republic, but the question remains in what form they will return after a difficult illness. Many of the athletes took a few weeks or even months to get back together after the covid.

Location Tip: Basic group

Source: Transfermarkt